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Local DUSO swimmers in splashy finishes

As the Dutchess Ulster Swimming Organization season heads into the championship round, both Red Hook and Rhinebeck have already put together some notable records.

Red Hook’s Sea Raiders were 5-0 moving into their annual showdown with their rival swim powerhouse, the New Paltz Seahawks. But the Sea Raiders fell 308-304 to the Seahawks, dropping the meet in the final races.

The meet wasn’t without highlights for Red Hook, though: seven swimmers each got at least three first-place finishes.

Dylan Amaro, swimming in the eight-and-under division, pegged first place in the 25 meter freestyle, the 25 m breaststroke, and the 25 m fly, and swam in the first place winning freestyle relay. David Rendon, swimming in the boys 10-and-under division, nabbed first in the 50 m freestyle, the 50 m backstroke, and the 100 m individual medley. Kyle Staubi, of the 11-12 boys division, came in first in the 100m freestyle, the 50m fly, the 100m individual medley, and won first place competing in the 11-12 200m free relay.

Swimming in the 15-18 girls division, Jazmin Rendon came in first in the 50m freestyle, the 100m backstroke, and the 200m free relay. Steve Campagna, swimming in the 15-18 boys division, won the 50m freestyle, the 100m breaststroke, and the 50m fly. Sophie Moody, competing in the 15-18 girls division, placed first in the 100m freestyle, the 50m fly, and the 100m individual medley, and was part of the winning 200m free relay team.

But the night belonged to Travis Blank. Throwing down in the 15-18 boys division, Blank won the 100m freestyle with a time of 48.83 seconds, which was a team and pool record. He also set a team and pool record in the 100m backstroke, winning in 53.99 seconds. He also won the 100m individual medley and was part of the winning 200m free relay team.

Head coach Kevin Storrs thinks his team performed admirably against New Paltz, a team that he says attracts more than 250 swimmers every year from far outside of their area, including Poughkeepsie and Kingston.

“We’re at a great disadvantage against them,” said Storrs. “But we’ve done a great job so far this year.”

That continued July 27 when Red Hook beat Kerhonkson 320-280.

Now 6-1, Red Hook will next compete in the DUSO championship on Aug. 3 at New Paltz.

Rhinebeck’s Manta Rays swam against Red Hook on July 17, falling to the Sea Raiders 370-241. But there were triple winners in the meet, including Kate Bergin, Elias Econopouly, Naima Mackrel, Finn Quested, and Miya Vitale.